Bio of Andrew OLSON (b.1857), Yellow Medicine Co., MN
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ANDREW OLSON (1887)
Andrew Olson is the junior member of the firm of Johnson & Olson,
dealers in general merchandise, Echo.
He was born in Norway October 10, 1857. He lived with his parents on
a farm until eighteen years of age, when he started for himself; for a
number of years he traveled over the country trading and buying country
produce. In 1887 he came to the United States, stopped a few weeks in
Echo, visiting acquaintances, and then went to Great Falls, Montana,
where for the next six years he worked as a carpenter for the Great
Northern railway with a bridge and depot building crew.
In company with Andrew Johnson, who later became his partner in business,
Mr. Olson returned to the old home in Norway for a visit. Returning
to the United States, he and Mr. Johnson located in Echo, put up a
building, and engaged in the general merchandise business under the firm
name of Johnson & Olson. The firm is the oldest in Echo and handles
groceries, dry goods, shoes, hats, furnishing goods, notions, etc.
Mr. Olson is a director in the First State Bank of Echo. He has been
on the Republican county central committee the past half dozen years.
He owns a good home.
Mr. Olson was married in Echo in September, 1893, to Bertha Saure, a
native of Norway. They have three children: Laura, Bertina, and Palmer.
Andrew Olson is a son of Ole Skysted and Laurina (Froland) Skysted,
natives of Norway and both deceased. There were seven children in the
family, three of whom are still living; Johanna, of Norway; Steffen
(Mrs. Ole Kvestad), of Yellow Medicine county; and the subject of this
sketch.
Mr. Olson is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and of the
A. O. U. W. lodge. In addition to his other enterprises, he is engaged
in the implement business with Philip Melcher as a member of the firm
Melcher & Olson.
Source: "A History of Yellow Medicine County" by Arthur P. Rose
Published 1914